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LATEST NEWSSungano Trip, 2006 One of our main objectives during our fortnight long visit to Kadoma was to re-connect with Sungano, to see first hand how they were reforming, and to ascertain what current projects Sungano were involved in, and what other projects Sungano wanted to achieve, with Cornerstone's support. Sungano ('Unity' in the language of shona) - an inter-church youth group from Kadoma - was formed in 1997, after a ministers' visit to Stevenage, in 1995, expressed a hope for a 'youth link' as part of the ongoing friendship between the two towns. In 1997, representatives from Cornerstone - an inter-church youth group from Stevenage - visited Kadoma and, subsequently, Sungano visited Stevenage the following year. Strong links had been forged between the two groups, and, in 2001, we embarked on a 'Fish Project,' where Cornerstone fund-raised monies on behalf of Sungano in helping to provide cheap fish for their community. Another Cornerstone visit ensued in the Summer of 2001. However, since then, due to political problems, further visits had to be put on hold. For the past 5 years, due to various reasons, it has been difficult to communicate with Sungano, to establish how things are, who leads/organises Sungano, what new projects are in place, what are the aims of Sungano, how they are seeking to develop, and whether Cornerstone could help in anyway. Therefore, we believed it was necessary for Cornerstone to re-connect with our friends in Kadoma as soon as possible and the notion to visit Kadoma materialised. On a personal note - I didn't know what to expect from this visit to Kadoma. Initially I was concerned with what we would see, with preconceived thoughts of what is portrayed in the media and with no real, substantial contact with Sungano for so long. However, my thoughts were put to rest after the first morning and you just knew that this was a place full of God's spirit. I straightaway had no concerns as to our safety. We initially met with some of the Sungano executive on the first morning. We had a meeting with the Kadoma link with about 15 of us representing schools/churches/council/youth/etc... to discuss the fortnight's programme. We met with Pastor Ncube (who is the patron of Sungano), Marionette (the co-ordinator of Sungano who has been there since the very beginning) and Primrose (who is secretary to Sungano). Pastor Ncube was quite inquisitive as he had just taken on the role of patron to Sungano and wanted to know the past history with regards to Sungano's link with Cornerstone and projects/etc... During the first week, as we visited many locations such as the hospital, primary and secondary schools, vocational training college, sports centre, council offices, old peoples home, etc... it was great to rekindle past friendships with some of the older members of Sungano and to also encounter/interact with the new members of Sungano - it was such a productive time to get out into the community with Sungano. After a very successful Stevenage Day in the Kadoma town centre, (where the mayor, council, link committee, schools, dance groups, etc... joined together to celebrate the link between Stevenage and Kadoma), we met with the whole Sungano executive at the council offices. The Sungano executive were introduced to us - Pastor Ncube - Patron This was a very productive meeting where Sungano produced a youth report (attached) - the executive regularly meet up at least once a month (usually on a Saturday) and they also meet up with youths on various projects. Various topics were discussed -
The following day we met up for the Sungano conference - this was held at the Salvation Army Church in Rimuka - the morning started off slowly but by the mid afternoon the church was full of young people - the theme of the conference was "Doing the right thing at the right time for the right purpose" - the conference commenced with prayer and worship followed by some excellent discussion between young people with regards to dating/marriage/etc... - some items of dance/drama/singing followed and then Pastor Ncube gave a message regarding the 4points/symbols - (heart) God Loves You (x) I have sinned (cross) Jesus died for you ( ?) our response/choice/decision to follow - Andy then gave a message, as there was a feeling that the new Sungano wanted to make amends to what had happened with the old Sungano, but it was pointed out that God makes all things new and by God's grace and forgiveness we can move on together in unity - we presented each member of the executive with a youth bible and formally handed over the laptop - we also handed out to everyone a wristband with the 4points/symbols - there was a real sense of coming together as one and the feeling that God was really moving in that place - talking with some of the young people, it was great to hear that they were inspired by the conference and that they wanted to get involved with Sungano. During the second week, we had further meetings with the Sungano executive, and you could feel that God had put these people together, each of them with unique gifts to serve the Lord. Many 'God'incidences happened during the week as doors began to open -
The final night was a night that I will never forget - Marionette invited past and present Sungano members to her home for a "Braai" (BarBQ) - it was such an inspirational/emotional/unforgettable evening - Sungano showed us how to make candles (and we saw how good they were as they were put to full use when we experienced another power-cut) - we presented Yonah with Z$ 25,000,000 which was to open up a new Sungano account (we mentioned that when the time arose for anymore funds we would need him to contact us) - we also presented Z$ 10,000,000 to Pastor Ncube - it had seemed that we had come full circle and Sunstone had such a strong link - with Judith and Maria being there (whose mother, Tendai, had died not so long ago - Tendai had instigated the start of Sungano) - it just seemed so right for us all to be together as one and for us to be looking forward to all the wondrous things that have been set out before us. The evening ended with prayer/worship/poems and there was not a dry eye in the house. I believe that all the objectives that were set out for Sungano were met, over and above all our expectations. If you had said to me before our visit that we/they would achieve a part of this, I may have been a little surprised. What happened over the fortnight was truly incredible, full of 'God'incidences and doors/opportunities opening before our very eyes. God's hand was on everything that took place over the fortnight and I know that without the prayer support back home and the faith/trust that Sungano/people of Kadoma showed to us, we wouldn't have achieved many of the objectives. "For everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Phil Gibb |
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